Month: August 2016

Memories of Favourite Places # Improve Vocabulary

MEMORIES OF FAVOURITE PLACES

It could be that romantic restaurant, or your favourite park bench. A specific part of the brain seems to be responsible for learning and remembering the precise locations of places that are special to us, research in mice has shown for the first time.

Place cells are neurons that help us map our surroundings, and both mice and humans have such cells in the hippocampus – a brain region vital for learning, memory and navigation.

Nathan Danielson at Columbia University in New York and his colleagues focused on a part of the hippocampus that feeds signals to the rest of the brain, called CA1. They found that in mice, the CA1 layer where general environment maps are learned and stored is different to the one for locations that have an important meaning.

Treadmill test

They discovered this by recording brain activity in the two distinct layers of CA1, using mice placed on a treadmill. The treadmill rotated between six distinctive surface materials – including silky ribbons, green pom-pom fabric and silver glitter masking tape. At all times, the mice were able to lick a sensor to try to trigger the release of drinking water.

During the first phase of the experiment, however, the sensor only worked at random times. The mice formed generalised maps of their experience on the multi-surfaced treadmill, and the team found that these were stored in the superficial layer of CA1.

Then the team activated the sensor only when the mice were on a specific surface, such as the one with silky strips. Mice learned to coordinate their licking with being on the “active” zone, and developed a map that was stored in the deeper layer of CA1.

The team’s conclusion, Danielson says, is that the superficial CA1 layer forms a stable baseline representation of the environment, while the deeper layer maps emotional significance.

“It’s like navigating to your favourite restaurant,” says Danielson. “You need to know the general area, and the wider environment, but the location of the restaurant is of special significance, and incorporates an emotional element,” he says.

#WORDMEANINGSYNONYM
1RomanticOf, or relating to, or of the nature of romance; fanciful; impractical; unrealisticAdventurous, amorous, charming, colorful, corny, dreamy, erotic, exciting, exotic, fanciful, fantastic, fascinating, glamorous, maudlin, mysterious, nostalgic, passionate, tender, utopian, whimsical
2RestaurantAn establishment where meals are served to customersBar, cafeteria, coffee shop, diner, dining room, inn, joint, outlet, saloon, canteen, chophouse, dive, drive-in, eatery, grill, hideaway, lunchroom, pizzeria
3FavoriteA person or thing regarded with special favor or preferenceBeloved, cherished, favored, main, popular, prized, treasured, choice, darling, dear, dearest, intimate, personal, pet, sweetheart
4ColleaguesAn associateAide, ally, assistant, buddy, co-worker, companion, comrade, friend, partner, teammate, auxiliary, chum, coadjutor, cohort, collaborator, compatriot, compeer, confederate, confrere, crony, helper, pal, workmate
5DiscoveredTo notice or realizeDetected, disclosed, exposed, identified, invented, ascertained, disinterred, espied, explored, learned, observed, opened, originated, perceived, presented, recognized, revealed, shown, sighted, spotted, unearthed, unlocked, unveiled
6DistinctDistinguished as not being same; not identical; separateDefinite, noticeable, recognizable, specific, unmistakable, audible, categorical, clean-cut, clear, clear-cut, enunciated, evident, explicit, express, incisive, lucid, manifest, marked, palatable, patent, perspicuous, plain, prescribed, sharp, transparent, trenchant, unambiguous
7TreadmillAn exercise machine that allows the user to walk or run in place, usually on a continuous moving beltChore, drudgery, groove, labor, pace, rote, routine, rut, sweat, task, toil, travail, grub work, hard work, moil
8DistinctiveServing to distinguish; characteristic; distinguishingCool, extraordinary, idiosyncratic, offbeat, original, peculiar, singular, special, weird, characteristic, diacritic, diagnostic, discrete, distinguishing, excellent, far cry, gnarly, individual, like night and day, outstanding, perfect, poles apart, proper, separate
9TriggerTo initiate or precipitate; to become activeBring about, cause, generate, produce, prompt, provoke, set off, spark, start, activate, elicit, give rise to, set in motion
10SuperficialBeing at, on, or near the surface; apparent rather than real.Cursory, frivolous, one-dimensional, perfunctory, silly, sketchy, slight, trivial, apparent, casual, cosmetic, depthless, desultory, empty, evident, exterior, external, flash, flimsy, general, glib, half-baked, hasty, hurried, ignorant, inattentive, warped, tip of the iceberg, ostensible,
11ConclusionThe end or close; final partClosure, completion, consequence, denouement, development, ending, outcome, result, cease, cessation, close, culmination, eventuality, finale, finish, issue, payoff, period, stop, termination, upshot, windup, wrap
12NavigatingTo walk or find one’s way on, in, or acrossCross, cruise, handle, maneuver, operate, sail, steer, captain, direct, drive, helm, journey, pilot, plan, plot, skipper, voyage, head out for, lay the course, ride out
13IncorporatesTo put or introduce into a body or mass as an integral part or partsAbsorb, assimilate, blend, consolidate, cover, embody, fuse, integrate, merge, mix, organize, amalgamate, associate, charter, coalesce, dub, form, imbibe, join, link, pool, start ,subsume, unite, add to, gang up, hook in, put together, tie in
14EmotionalPertaining to or involving emotion; subject to or easily affected by emotionsAffecting, exciting, heated, hysterical, impassioned, moving, nervous, passionate, poignant, sensitive, sentimental, spontaneous, touching, ardent, disturbed, ecstatic, emotive, enthusiastic, excitable, falling apart, fanatical, feeling, fervent fervid, fickle, fiery, heartwarming, histrionic, hot-blooded, impetuous, impulsive, irrational, overwrought, pathetic, responsive, roused, sentient, stirred

 

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IELTS Speaking Sample Questions # Privacy

We are living in the world of internet, where everything we do is all stored in the databases of companies like facebook, google, amazon. From our credit card details, to the choices we make, from the things we buy to the ones we discard. Yet, with everything being so open, some are able to maintain their privacy. Privacy from people we meet, from the ones we care off and the ones we don’t like things about. With privacy becoming so important, let us today have a look at some of the questions related to privacy.
How much do you value your privacy?

For me, privacy is important. Although, I am an extrovert, with almost everything open to others, there are certain things I prefer only I know or the ones who are very near to me know about. If people try to hinder in those areas, it really does gets on my nerve.

Do you think that websites like Facebook take away too much of your privacy?

Surely yes. With people putting everything out online, from the places they visit, to the people they are dating, I think privacy has surely become a very fragile term in today’s world. But, then I think it also depends on the individual. There are people I have met who use Facebook only for interacting with their friends and nothing more. Neither do they update any status nor any photo.

Do you think people have the right to privacy? How about convicted criminals?

I think every individual has the right to privacy, to keep their lives to themselves or to share with a few people. Even if they are convicted criminals. But, then it is the job of the police to make sure that they are able to find the criminal and make sure justice is made.

The only people who need privacy are people who are doing something illegal. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

No, I don’t believe in this. One can do everything perfectly legal and yet require some privacy. Like, there are people who don’t like to open up in front of strangers, share lot of things happening in their lives. For example, I had a friend who married her love of life in a very secretive way because she did not liked any tantrums and drama. It was perfectly legal and her choice.

privacy

Do you think the Internet increases privacy or takes away privacy?

In my opinion, internet neither gives or takes away privacy. Because, in the end it is in the hands of people to give or not their private lives. However, too an extent it does decreases privacy, in a sense that, the details of bank accounts and loans taken are now stored in the databases of the websites customer use for transaction.

What is the greatest threat to privacy?

Internet is surely a great threat to privacy. With eCommerce sites coming in today’s world,lot of people tend to give away their bank details to these sites. If somehow these sites get hacked, there are chances of people losing their money.

How private should corporations be? Should the public have access to corporate records?

I believe, corporations should be private about its employees details and documents. However, when it comes to the actions that the company is planning to take next, there should not be any problem in giving off the details to the public. After all, in my opinion, the public should have a fair voice in giving suggestion to the company.

How transparent should a government be?

A government should be transparent enough, that if the citizen of a country faces an issue, he or she should be able to fight back. He or she should be provided the correct knowledge about the law and order or the country so that he or she can fight back with the right power and in the right direction.

Where do you like to go when you want to be alone?

I prefer going to a  library when I want to be alone. Every library has that one corner where there is no one and you could just go there, sit down and read your favorite books. In a recent library that I visited, one was provided cubicles, where we could take the books, and coffee and read books, enjoy them at our own pace.

Should there be more, or less, security cameras around cities?

I think there should be definitely more security cameras. With the crime rates increasing, I believe cameras provide the citizens with the security. Even more, they bring in a sense of fear among the criminals and even tend to help the police officers to take on the criminals.

How is privacy viewed in your culture?

Privacy in our culture is not regarded very important, so you can see people coming in rooms like that and trying to know about the other person life. With people who you get close to, it is assumed that there should not be any privacy or secrets to hide. However, with globalization taking place, people in my culture are even learning the art of privacy.

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IELTS Sample Listening Question # Day Trip

Day Trip

The audio given below has been taken from BBC 6 minutes English. You can download it, from the given link –
http://goo.gl/UdbaVM


Answer the following questions in NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS

  1. What kind of trip is it when you go to a particular place and return on the same day?
  2. Which places did Callum usually go during his day trip?
  3. As a child, where did Neil lived?
  4. Which planet is the closest to Earth?
  5. Which word is used when you see something but only for a short period of time or not completely?
  6. Which phrase is used to mean that something is kept as a secret?
  7. How high above the Earth will the actual space ship travel?
  8. Which hardware has been designed to take passengers to space?
  9. What is the cost of day trip to space?
  10. What is the duration of the sub-orbital trip?

day trip
ANSWER

  1. day trip
  2. forest, beach
  3. Canada
  4. Venus
  5. glipmpse
  6. under wraps
  7. 62 miles
  8. White Knight
  9. $200,000
  10. two and half hours

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IELTS Speaking Sample Answer # Transitions

Transitions are part of our lives. We all change, grow up, learn things, unlearn things and then relearn them. There are some aspects of our personality that change, some that remain same and all our experiences shape what we become. Let us today have a look at some of the questions related to transitions.

What was your best memory from when you were a child?

As a child, I remember life was great and there were many memories that I made. But, I think, one particular memory that is still in my mind is of the trip that I took with my father. It was one of the most random trip one could imagine. My father just asked me if I wanted to company him to the market and I agreed. What started as a everyday trip to market, ended up in Nanital. We were on scooty, driving slowly and the weather was great, raining and foggy.

What is your earliest memory?

The earliest memory that I have is of the trip that I took to puri during the rath yatra, 2016. It was an amazing experience, with so many devotees standing there waiting for their God to come so that they can see him and touch them. For the first time in my life, I saw madness, I saw passion. I saw people ready to die for their God. It was the first time I realized why India is said to be so pure, so positive.

Which was better for you: elementary school, junior high school or high school?  Why?

I think elementary school was the best for me. It was during this time that I made friends but more importantly I used to be happy. Happy in my own world, with no one to be bothered of. No care of the marks that I score, of the way I look, I was happy with myself and least bothered about  the world and its rules.

Did you study hard in high school?

I would say I studied fine but not that hard. Now when I look back, I can say that there was much more potential in me, so much more that I could do with my life.

How would you change your life if you could?

I have already started working on myself, reading books that I never read and doing things I only wished for. Like, I have started reading my high school books because I feel I have not been able to grasp the knowledge that I should have and I need it to be able to look forward in my life.

transitions

One of the biggest transitions for people is marriage. What are some of the good and bad things about marriage?

Marriage is said to bring in people a sense of responsibility. They learn that there is someone they have to look forward to, that they are not living in vacuum and there doings effect people, like never before. The best part about marriage, I think is, it provides an individual the ground, the ground to land after flying high. But, when this marriage turns more into bindation, where an individual is not free to take decisions, it could be the worst thing happening.

How will your life change after you have children?

I think I might become more lovable, because it is often said that if you shower love, you get it back as well. May be I will become more responsible, more feminine and more caring. May be I will become more creative and learn better how to manage time.

What do you think is the biggest transitions in a person’s life? 

I think the biggest transition comes into a person’s life is when they realize that they are responsible for their actions, that they are responsible for the life they are going to live. When that realization comes, people start behaving differently. They learn to do things differently, owning things, falling, failing, learning and growing up.

When does a child become an adult?

I think a child becomes an adult only when he or she realizes that whatever he or she has dreamt of is possible. When he gets to know the path that needs to be followed to be able to fulfill ones dreams. That moment when the child realizes that to be able to fulfill dreams, not one is going to help, until he or she helps himself or herself. I think when it gets down in the mind that the dream is possible and that only she/he can do it, is when a child becomes an adult.

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